plenty of options when throwing the football. Renken, who
saw some action at QB a year ago, is one of the dependable
receivers after grabbing 16 passes for 216 yards, along with
Kershner ( 15 catches for 216 yards, two touchdowns). The
Rangers look for Given (489 yard, four TDs) to make the running game click. Protection up front should be present with
Krause, Anderson, Rose and Perry leading the blocks. Most
of the experience comes on the defensive side. Singer ( 38
tackles), Murphy and Scheff solidify the front. Experience
from Flanagan ( 39 tackles, one interception) will be counted
on heavily in the LB, but most of the seasoning comes from
the secondary from a unit featuring Ingle ( 65 tackles, one
interception), Castro ( 41 tackles), Rios and Gayre.

THE WORD: Clemens makes the jump to 6A with momentum
from their final year in 4A where they bounced back from
a 0-10 struggle in 2012 to earn a playoff berth. There’s a
lot of work to do to be a playoff contender against some of
the state’s powers. However, the Buffaloes have tradition
of their home, along with a hunger to succeed. With five offensive and five defensive starters returning, inexperience
is a concern, especially at the skilled positions. Johnston
and his staff are using the offseason to groom a QB and find
dependable receivers. However, the running game looks to
be in good shape with the return of All-District 27-4A performer Collins (615 yards, one touchdown on 111 carries)
and Baker (324 yards, five touchdowns on 52 attempts),
who earned second team honors as a freshman. Honaker
and Tyus’s presence on the OL is also a plus. Clemens’
defense also has a few question marks, but the Buffaloes
have enough quality players to provide a solid nucleus. As
a two-year starter, Reeves has the know-how to lead the
secondary. The Buffaloes are also expecting major contributions from Edmondson, who also has the skills to help out on
offense. Johnson and Blake, who both earned second team
all-district honors, give the LB corps stability, while Varnes
and Robinson lead the up work up front.

NEW BRAUNFELS CANYONCOUGARS

ENROLLMENT: 2,367.5 ( 2)

2013 RECORD: 7-4 5A Div. II Bi-District Playoffs

THE COACH: Matt Elliott

THE PLAYERS: Eric Rodriguez (Sr., RB), Raynard Taylor (Sr.,
RB), Alex Rocha (Sr., RB), Jason Fuller (Sr., RB), DeWayne
Hinton (Sr., WR), Kristian Drake (Jr., WR), Jesse Kluckman
(Sr., TE), Cody Krampitz (Sr., OL), Oscar Flores (Sr., OL), Fabian Ramirez (Sr. OL), Nathon Gonzales (Sr., DL), Jason Fuller
(Sr., LB), Zach Facundo (Jr., DB), Jordan Holmes (Jr., DB)
THE WORD: A remodeling job is due for Canyon after losing a
senior-oriented roster, but the Cougars have enough talent
from six offensive starters and four defensive regulars to
begin the foundation. The running game should be in good
hands as Rodriguez, Taylor, Rocha and Fuller all showed
what they could do when toting the ball a year ago. Although
the Cougars rely mostly on the running game they’ll be looking to add balance. However, the key is finding a reliable
quarterback to take over after Philip Shelton’s graduation.
Hinton, Drake and Kluckman should be reliable targets for
the one manning the job. Kluckman will also be called on
to help Ramirez and Krampitz provide security to the line.
Most of the rebuilding takes place on defense, but Elliott
has several newcomers capable of filling the holes to go
with those sporting experience. Facundo and Holmes will
be called on to lead the secondary, while Fuller will be the
guiding the LB crew. Gonzales’s pass rushing tactics should
benefit the D-line.

THE WORD: Plenty of changes took place for the Unicorns dur-ing the offseason. For starters former New Braunfels coachJim Streety took over as athletic director after spending theprevious 23 years as head coach at San Antonio Madison. Inaddition, Mangold, Streety’s offensive coordinator with theMavericks, is making his head coaching debut with the Uni-corns after Chuck Caniford left for a similar position at Clif-ton. Mangold takes over a team that made the playoffs, buthe’ll be looking to add more victories and consistency. Thenew coach knows how to put points on the board and knowswhat it takes to win after being part of Madison’s success.Not only that, Mangold was a lineman on Medina Valley’s1984 Class 3A championship team. The key is establishingthe continuity the Mavericks enjoyed. Although the newcoach and Unicorns are still in the get-to-know-one anotherstage, Mangold is seeing some positive results. Offensively,the Unicorns look for balance. Bateman, who passed for
1,609 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 368 yardsand three touchdowns, and Buerman are capable of leadingthe unit. When the Unicorns go through the air, they’ll havea dependable hand on the receiving end in Orgeron, whocaught 76 passes for 1,004 yards and nine TDs a year ago.A strong running game could also be part of the packagewith Odell and Frazier. New Braunfels must put together asturdy line for everything to work. The DLine looks securewith Martin, McGehee, Sanchez and Jones’ presence.

SAN ANTONIO WAGNERTHUNDERBIRDS

ENROLLMENT: 2,247 ( 6)

2013 RECORD: 0-10

THE COACH: Charles Bruce

THE PLAYERS: Eric Tilghman (Sr., RB/DB), Malik Eckford (Sr.,
RB), Charles Ward (Sr., WR), Torien Brooks (Sr., OL), Matthew
Cantu (Jr., DL), Christopher Dennis (Sr., LB), Jordan Batson
(Jr., DB), Keynan Boykin (Sr., DB), Jacorey Walker (Sr., DB)
THE WORD: Bruce’s first year was more than a little rough.
The new coach wasn’t hired until the summer so he didn’t
get to know his players until fall workouts began. Despite
going winless, the Thunderbirds are confident of better days
coming. Bruce and the players are more familiar with one
another. In addition, they had a chance to fix things during
the offseason. Most important, many of the players who
took the lumps are returning with determination to make
amends. Tilghman showed versatility a year ago by helping
in both backfields. He’ll be counted on to do more of the
same. Joining him on offense will most likely be Eckford,
who has the speed to add extra punch to the running game.
When the Thunderbirds go through the air, look for Ward
( 22 catches for 219 yards) to be one of the top go-to guys.
Brooks is expected to anchor the line. Defensively, the Thunderbirds boast most of their experience in the secondary
with Tilghman, Boykin and Walker. Dennis and Batson led
the LB corps.

THE WORD: The Rattlers soared to the league title last year
without a stumble and kept the winning intact until falling to
Cibolo Steele in round two of the Division II playoffs. Reagan
looks to defend its title, but the Rattlers have to address a
few concerns. The main order of business is finding a quarterback and running back to get the offense rolling. Those
two areas have been strengths for the Rattlers through the
years and by the time the season rolls around, it’s a good
bet Wetzel and his staff will have the right players manning
the positions. Leone and Hunter have playmaking skills, but
the two could also help out on defense. Whoever emerges
as Reagan’s QB will have at least two reliable targets in Heffron, who had 11 catches for 259 yards and a TD a year ago,
and Morrow ( 11 reception for 104 yards). There’s plenty of
security up front with the presence of Riley, Leal, Latronico
and Wesling. Defensively, the Rattlers have to rebuild their
front, but the LB corps is loaded with experience as Saathoff
and Killeen team with Crawford and Cox for a stout look.
Strauss and Wetzel have the skills and experience to lead
the secondary.

THE WORD: A new look awaits Madison this season as Smithtakes over as head coach after Jim Streety ended his 23-year career with the Mavericks to become athletic directorat New Braunfels Independent School District. AlthoughSmith is new to Madison, he’s well-experienced in the art ofwinning. Following a banner career at Kerrville Tivy where hehelped launch the career of Johnny Manziel, Smith followedwith two successful seasons at Converse Judson. Now, he’slooking to help the Mavericks continue their winning ways. Inaddition to Streety, Madison lost quality players, who wereinstrumental in guiding the Mavericks to the Division semi-finals, which ended in a crushing 38-34 loss to Pearland.However, there’s talent remaining from that banner season.Experience, coupled with a winning tradition, should makeSmith’s first season rewarding. In keeping Madison’s tradi-tion intact, the Mavericks are once again loaded with play-makers. Daniels rushed for 1, 132 yard and 11 touchdownsa year ago and will be counted to provide more heroics thisseason. Smith and Cardona also saw plenty of action andshould add extra dimensions to Madison’s game with addedhelp coming from King. Cardona provides blocking andhard-nosed running to the backfield. Waldrup got a sampleof varsity football as a junior, spending most of his time atRB. Because of his athleticism and knack for creating bigplays, Madison coaches are calling on him to guide theoffense at QB. The Mavericks’ passing game should onceagain complement the groundwork. Brown ( 59 catches for
1,267 yards and 17 touchdowns) is back for an encore. Theplaymakers have needed protection with the front featuringRheiner, McNeil and Ricky Gonzales, who should also get hisshare of pass-catching opportunities. While Madison looksto put points on the board consistently, the Mavericks arehoping to prevent opponents from the doing the same. TheMavs have the personnel to keep things under control. Lunaand Kyle provide pressure inside, while Yancey, who led histeam with 82 tackles a year ago, and Pointer-Patterson aresolid at the ends. Banks leads the linebackers, while thesecondary gets much of its punch from Martin, who hadthree interceptions last season, Jordan Gonzales, Mosleyand Acosta.

SAN ANTONIO JOHNSON JAGUARSENROLLMENT: 2,868.5 ( 6)

2013 RECORD: 12-3 5A Div. II State Semi-Finalist

THE COACH: Ron Rittimann

THE PLAYERS: Josh Theissen (Jr., ATH), Braedon Williams
(Jr., RB), Santana Barrera (Jr. RB), Hunter Trinidad (Jr., WR),
Dominik Metz (Sr., WR), Drake Flores (Jr., TE), Eric Huggins
(Sr., LB), Chad Prevost (Jr., LB), RJ Espinoza (Sr., DB), Kyle
Hrncir (Sr., DB), Terrance Pitt (Sr., DB), Zach Elder (So., K)
THE WORD: Johnson’s seventh-year program is coming off its
best season after winning its first Region IV championship
with a 42-41 dramatic victory over Steele, before losing powerful Katy, 52-0, in the semifinals. The Jaguars would like
nothing better than to carrying that winning trend into 2014.
The key is overcoming inexperience after losing 45 seniors,
including QB Hunter Rittimann, who passed for 2,883 yards
and 32 touchdowns. Despite having three offensive and
defensive returners remaining, Ron Rittimann believes the
Jaguars can become a contender. Theissen spent most of
time on the receiving end, catching 50 passes for 967 yards
and seven TDs. This season he could be doing more of the
giving as Johnson coaches are looking at putting him at QB.
The San Antonio Express-News’ Newcomer of the Year took
a few snaps last year and because of his athletic ability
should be a good fit. Theissen is surrounded by backfield
mates capable of turning big plays at any time. Williams, who
rushed for 638 yards and seven touchdowns, and Barrera
provide a one-two punch at RB. Trinidad and newcomer Metz
and Flores have the skills to complement Theissen’s passing. Don’t be surprised if Theissen gets a few receptions
on occasion. To make the offense work, the Jaguars must
rebuild its line. Johnson should shine in the kicking game
with the return of All-District 26-5A kicker Elder, who was
successful on 79 of 80 PAT kicks and 5 of 9 field goals as
a freshman. Play-making potential also exists on the defensive side. Huggins, who recorded 69 tackles with t wo fumble
recoveries while earning second team All-26-5A honors, will
be a part of the defense, along with Espinoza ( 111 tackles,
two fumble recoveries). Contributions are also expected
from returners Hrncir and Pitt, alone with Prevost.

THE WORD: The Chargers made the playoffs a year ago
and are looking to be there again this season. With five
offensive and seven defensive starters back, along with
talented players who saw action last season, Churchill has
the personnel to be in the running. Speaking of running, the
Chargers’ ground game looks sharp with three-year starter
Smisek, who rushed for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns a
year ago while also catching 26 passes for 275 yards and
three touchdowns, paving the way. Dennis, who worked at
OLB last season, is being called on to bring another weapon
to the backfield. Churchill should also shine in the receiving
department as Faktor is capable of turning big plays. Things
should be secure up front with Casas, Jennings, Touchstone
and Tobar. The key to making the offense complete is finding
a reliable leader to replace 2,000-yard passer Nate Pearson.
The Chargers plan to make most of their experience on defense. West ( 88 tackles) and Wagner ( 67 tackles) are proven
linebackers and front work appears to be in good hands with
Kucinski-Stewart ( 72 tackles, five sacks), Everage ( 65 tackles, six sacks) and Baldassari. Pollard, a three-year starter,
and Goforth will be called on to lead the secondary.